BAR BOYS AFTER SCHOOL: Funny with Serious Topics, An Exciting Installment!

When I heard Bar Boys would have another run, I was extremely happy just thinking what it would be like especially since the first installment had so many stories to continue with. The iconic Odette Khan won Best Supporting actress for it in different award giving bodies, including Indie Movie of the year, Best Director and Screenplay nominations to name a few. It also had a stage musical done which was well received by fans, and also had nominations for the version with the music used for the medium.

10 years since, the boys would have totally different lives and a whole new set of students to tell a story with Will Ashley, Sassa Gurl, Klarisse De Guzman, Glaiza De Castro, Emilio Daez, Therese Malvar, Benedix Ramos and Bryce Eusebio. The orignal ones Rocco Nacino, Kean Cipriano, Carlo Aquino and Enzo Pineda took on their roles 10 years older, having different lives to say the least, with Rocco teaching law school. Most of them were at the press conference a few days ago. They also paid tribute to Madame Odette Khan as she graced the event, had a standing ovation, which I adored.

Direk lamented how beyond the film, they all have been able to forge friendships and didn't take a miracle to pull off a second movie after the success of the first one. He said "We all grew as people and I've worked with everybody on this stage (including the new ones). I can guarantee, all of them are good people. I can confirm they are true artists who want to become better at their craft. I hope people see the value in that and support our Metro Manila Film Festival entry for 2025! I hope people would watch us first because we assure you it's going to be worth it." He also said that starting this meant they need to tell more stories that would matter, something people found in their first one so that's going to be interesting.

Will Ashley is going to be part of this and he says this movie is going to connect with you in so many ways, they really worked hard to make this second movie. Benedix on the other hand has auditioned for the musical play before landing this role for the movie. Sassa was super playful, her valedictorian role is something you should look forward to. While new, Emilio took a chance and auditioned for this role because he loved how his character developed. He learned a lot and want folks to watch this. Therese is already an award winning actress, having her in this film is just icing on a cake, she deserves it. The story she says is super good and said YES when it was offered to her.

Enzo says "It means a lot to me to see fans of Bar Boys to be here. It's also my first time to do MMFF, I've waited to do this after 15 years, and I'm part of it. I hope you get to support it like the first one."

Kean says "Josh after school didn't pass law school and this will continue that story. I hope we won't die in the end. Being part of a project that has value, being part of the first one was worth it, the second one just touches us on a different level. Being with them, seeing you appreciate it is enough for me."

Rocco says "Thank you to everyone who's here. I was supposed to take a different role, but I'm glad I ended up with this one. This is the first film that I've done that had a sequel, I assure you, you won't have problems suggesting this to friends and family if you would want to watch an entry at MMFF."

Carlo jokes about being in MMFF like he only had this as an entry, but everyone knows he's a regular LOL. He says "I want to share that when I read this email of Bar Boys, I was quitting showbiz, and the film gave me spark, to do what I love, I hope the same spark makes a movement out of Filipinos."

Excellent choices so far has been seen in MMFF 2025, and Bar Boys is the only one that is independently produced and supported by the FDCP. I can't wait to see what would happen to the original cast and the freshmen who will take on the new roles. This is a piece worthy to watch for sure! 

5 Good Reasons to Watch "CALL ME PAPI" in Cinemas Today!

Spent an evening with the cast of CALL ME PAPI, it was their red carpet premiere and I think I under dressed, and I'm so sorry for that haha! I've been following this project for some time now, and was really excited to see how this would look like on the silver screen. This is also the last known project of Shandii Bacolod (Team MSB and FEAST Productions) who produced and conceptualized this film. She passed before the last day of filming, and they dedicated this to her. It's a light, funny film with 5 men involved. The roles are played by Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño. After watching the film, I could tell how you would probably like CALL ME PAPI which shows today on cinemas.

Three Years in the Making

It took a lot of time to make this film happen, it got delayed because they started a few days til the strict lockdown was imposed in the country. Stopping in the middle of filming made much of the artists act if it'll never be continued... but they did. It got stopped again when a surge happened. They followed strict protocols and was finally able to finish it July this year, which was a relief especially for those who would be handling continuity (of course their bodies and looks changed over time). The cast was ecstatic when they were done.

The Story is EASY

It was so nice to be there, the realization that both Dr. Alvin Yapan and Shandii Bacolod made this easy to digest in itself is already something different. They've made several films that are more on the serious side, very artsy, and would usually take time to understand, pretty cerebral. The feeling of being amongst usual friends, a huge barkada, that you would take a bullet for when times are hard.

The Boys

Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño alone would make you watch this film. They are absolutely in their best shape, though not the reason it's R-16, it's probably going to be one of the reasons to see this film. See, those muscles do actually come with deep stories in each of the characters they play. You'll find yourself rooting for one or almost all of them when you understand where they are coming from. Much of the drama though rests on Albie Casino's character, but as the film's name implies, he wouldn't end up handling everything alone because no matter how much things cost, the guys chip in to make things better. It is testosterone filled, but it ain't toxic... that alone should be appreciated.

It's FUN

There are several scenes which you'll find funny, but it wouldn't need a scientist to figure out. A little close to home especially if you're fond of "Tindahan" scenes where everything happens over a few bottles of beer and pulutan. The raunchy scenes would come, yes, it's certainly one of the highlights but never because of what you think. Watch out for the femmes because they too are built differently.

HOPE and LOVE

If there's a thing you would pick up from the relationships they forged, the women they loved or the reasons they leave or stay, is that there is hope, and LOVE for one another. It wouldn't be said straight forward, but done with a nudge, a banana, and eggs.

Go head on to theaters today to watch CALL ME PAPI. I liked what I saw in cinemas, because it's time you take a break from the usual serious movies. You need to get entertained while learning something in the process. These boys had that figured out.

Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño for CALL ME PAPI

5 of some of the hunkiest guys in the Philippines in one film? Yes, it is possible! This comes as CALL ME PAPI will be shown on theaters this coming December 7th, nationwide! This stars Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño. It's a full blown barkada film, so if you've got friends that stick with you through thick or thin, you'll definitely find yourself in one of the characters.

A Filipino Barkada film, CALL ME PAPI stars Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion and Albie Casiño

 

Times are tough for films this year but they're raring to have this shown during the holidays. This is the opportune time to do it because this film was delayed because of pandemic restrictions, it took them over 3 years to finish it. It's a tale of 5 men from different walks of life, all of whom would be testing the bonds of friendship, and camaraderie. Have you ever heard of "friends being family you choose?", that's exactly how this one goes, but there's more to their individual struggles that will be told in the film.

Check out what happened during the press conference last week:

 

Seasoned actresses Katya Santos and Irma Adlawan will also be joining the cast. Anya Aguilar will play the girlfriend of Albie Casino in the film.

Enzo says "My character is a little artsy, but always end up with the wrong women, like some who are married, and struggled finding out what relationships are and if it does make him happy."

Royce says "I play Lito in the film. He is a hard worker, a call center agent, and does every odd job imaginable just to put food on the table."

Albie adds "I play the character of Bret, who's a waiter, a man who's going through life and survive daily struggles. His life is going to change once that he finds out that he has to take care of a baby, who's mom left behind."

Lharby plays Mario, a call center agent, who's a man's man. He takes care more of his peers rather than just himself. He doesn't go out much, and just stays at home after work. He also contributes for the expenses of his family, doing his best to help his papis all the time.

Aaron Concepcion plays Roy, a farmer, someone from the province who wanted to just help his family. There will be a twist on his professional career, which will affect not just his friends, but his family too.

Life may have been very complicated for these 5 guys, but it would be nice to see how the dynamics of their friendship would solve their problems, how one would be able to help one another or break down in shambles when you need them most. I hope this gives a glimpse on the lives of Filipino guys that are not toxic, and puts a lot of importance on their peers, to hopefully help each other out in times of trouble.

This will really be a huge challenge for production, and the cast to bring this message across. I pray they get noticed for awards as this has got a solid concept and story. This is also dedicated to the film's producer Shandii Bacolod who passed away a day before the shoot was done. This is also directed by Dr. Alvin Yapan. She made remarkable work especially for this project because she believed in the material, the cast too. Again, if you would like to see a feel good Filipino barkada film, give CALL ME PAPI a visit on theaters this coming December 7th. Bring your friends!